[Medical first aid and the transportation of burn patients]

The new trends in delivering emergency medical aid and transportation of burnt patients are outlined. The successiveness of emergency measures on the site of accident is specified, namely: securing patency of the airways, spontaneous respiration, free venous return for maintaining circulation. No local treatment of wounds is done. The need of transportation to specialized centers for treatment of burns throughout the country (4 units available) is substantiated. It is emphasized that adequate treatment, both infusional and operative, may be effected only by the specialized teams in such centers, and provided the casualties are hospitalized within the first few hours of trauma. The contraindications for transportation of patients in the early post-accident hours include: respiratory insufficiency, intubation, multiply injured patients and severe hemorrhages, as well as cases with unspecified diagnosis. Transportation is mandatorily carried out with an accompanying doctor under the supervision and consent of the team on duty from the respective center and its consultant.